Date :
/ 20 October 2005To :
/All Members of the Panel
/From :
/ Hertfordshire Property/
Executive Member (Resources)
/Ask for:
/ Brenda Frayne/
Executive Member (Environment)
/Ext:
/ 25305/
C White
/Tony Comer
/Alan Warner
/Hertfordshire Property WMT
/Members’ Secretariat
/David Robinson
/Emel Morris
/Belinda Carling
/Lindsay Martin
PROPERTY PANEL
Tuesday 18 October at 2pm
Announcements
Minutes
Members of the Panel in attendance
David Beatty, Bob Clarkson, Steve Drury, Eddy Roach, Alan Searing (Chairman), Elam Singam, Richard Smith, Bill Storey
Upon consideration of the agenda for the Property Panel on 18 October2005 as circulated, action was taken or decisions were reached on individual items as recorded below.
Part I (‘open’) business
1. / Progress report on Beacon activities to date and an overview of the open day[Officer contact: Belinda Carling: 01992 555795]
1.1 / The verbal report was received and members raised the following :
Members asked if there was a financial award to the Beacon Status? It was confirmed that an award of £67,000 had been made.
The open day would generate income as delegates paid to attend.
Members congratulated officers on their achievements in obtaining Beacon Status for the County Council.
2. / Accessibility under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) in HertfordshireCounty Council buildings
[Officer contact: Sue Swain - Tel: 01992 588134]
2.1 / The report was received and accepted.
2.2 / It was noted that the Council is open to legal challenge, and can be taken to court if a member of the public complains about access to one of our buildings.
Members asked if any such complaints had been received. Members were advised that any such complaints would go through service departments who would be asked to report any such complaints to Sue Swain in future. / Sue Swain
2.3 / The Executive Member (Resources) asked the Chairman what was the amount spenton DDA improvement works (excluding schools) since1997. The Chairman reported that the figure of £10 million included CSF work and therefore could include some schools.
Members asked if grants were available for this work. Officers reported that grants were only available to schools and via the Access to Work scheme for individuals.
3. / Update on PFI Project For Childrens’ Homes And Family Support Centres
[Officer contact: Lindsay Martin - Tel: 01992 556718]
3.1 / The report was received and accepted.
3.2 / Members asked if there was a financial benefit to the Council in using the PFI scheme. It was reported that the scheme was very complex and there was no saving to the public purse but the Council did not pay interest on the PFI credits.
3.3 / It was noted that on page 17 of the Cabinet report that the age range of children for the proposed Sir Frederick Osborne site was 5-11. On the formal application to the Development Control Committee it was 5-14. It was confirmed that the age proposed age range was 5-11 and this would be confirmed to the Development Control committee. / Lindsay Martin
3.4 / The Executive Member (Resources) asked if there are any indications that any proposed sites were not going to find favour. Three sites had potential problems:
ShenleyHospital site – this is a reserved school site and is in the green belt. An objection has been received from Hertsmere Borough Council.
Wynchlands Crescent, St Albans – also in green belt where we are likely to be restricted to the floor area of the existing building.
West Way, Baldock – the exiting building (proposed to be demolished) has been found to be a home to unidentified bats. Discussion ongoing with Development Control.
The Executive Member (Resources) asked that if Members can give support, please do as it is our moral duty to provide these childrens homes.
The Chairman asked that an updated report be brought to a future Panel. / Lindsay Martin
Tony Comer
County Property Officer
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